Trade & FA 2025-26: Free Agency Starts 5pm CST/6pm EST

[SleepingHero]

[Scotto] Update: The San Antonio Spurs signed Luke Kornet to a four-year, $41 million deal, which descends, is fully guaranteed the first two years for $21.45 million, has a third-year $2.55 million partial guarantee salary and a fourth-year non-guaranteed salary, sources told.

Honestly still rich for a guy like Kornet, but Boston fans have been mourning his departure. So still, solid enough deal for the Spurs

[Winter]

It wouldn't surprise me to learn that DFS thought he might be a lot happier back in Texas than LA. He just doesn't seem like the California type. He grew up in Virginia and besides Dallas, has played in the east his entire basketball career. Not sure where his parents are living or if he still owns that horse, but I'm sure neither are anywhere near California.

[KillerLeft]

It wouldn't surprise me to learn that DFS thought he might be a lot happier back in Texas than LA. He just doesn't seem like the California type. He grew up in Virginia and has played in the east his entire career.  Not sure where his parents are living or if he still owns that horse, but I'm sure neither are anywhere near California.

Maybe, yeah. And, Houston is a way better team where he won't be the only one trying to play defense. And, their general manager wasn't lying about his health on the gossip wire the way Pelinka was.

[omahen]

LOL

If I was a Laker fan, I’d be livid. Not only did you lose DFS for nothing, you lost him for essentially a 2 year 28mil deal.

It was reported that he got a 2-year offer from Lakers, but declined it. Could be he was feeling lowballed

They also didn't lose him for nothing. They essentially "traded" him for Ayton and LaRavia. Staying under 1st apron also enables them to do a SnT. If they kept DFS, those moves would not be possible without paying assets to dump some of their expirings.

I actually like LA offseason so far. They plugged the biggest hole on the roster without giving up any asset. They are conservative with their assets, saving them to only be used for the right opportunity. They still severly lack wing defenders and athleticism. Rumors about Melton (up to BAE) and Brogdon (SnT). Assuming no home run deal is available, I wouldn't be opposed against something like Vincent+Knecht for Brogdon SnT. Saving more than enough money to open the full BAE in the process (I didn't check Washington salaries, but I assume they have sokme wiggle room to enable savings for Lakers), which would enable them to sign another decent FA (Melton?).

[mvossman]

It was reported that he got a 2-year offer from Lakers, but declined it. Could be he was feeling lowballed

They also didn't lose him for nothing. They essentially "traded" him for Ayton and LaRavia. Staying under 1st apron also enables them to do a SnT. If they kept DFS, those moves would not be possible without paying assets to dump some of their expirings.

I actually like LA offseason so far. They plugged the biggest hole on the roster without giving up any asset. They are conservative with their assets, saving them to only be used for the right opportunity. They still severly lack wing defenders and athleticism. Rumors about Melton (up to BAE) and Brogdon (SnT). Assuming no home run deal is available, I wouldn't be opposed against something like Vincent+Knecht for Brogdon SnT. Saving more than enough money to open the full BAE in the process (I didn't check Washington salaries, but I assume they have sokme wiggle room to enable savings for Lakers), which would enable them to sign another decent FA (Melton?).

They kind of did give up an asset for Ayton if they "traded" Dorian for him.  Call me skeptical that Ayton works out.  I realize they were limited with what they can do, but I think they would have been better off holding onto Dorian (meaning competitive offer and no bush league) and trading for a P&R center.

[omahen]

They kind of did give up an asset for Ayton if they "traded" Dorian for him.  Call me skeptical that Ayton works out.  I realize they were limited with what they can do, but I think they would have been better off holding onto Dorian (meaning competitive offer and no bush league) and trading for a P&R center.

In theory I would agree. In reality, who would be that center that they trade for? There were several reports that teams wanted to bleed Lakers dry, because they all knew how badly they need a center. I am pretty sure Lakers tried their best to get to a deal that made sense. Was there a center traded for "peanuts" this FA that the Lakers missed? Or if we look in another way. Lets say Lakers would trade Rui, Vincent, Knecht and a FRP for Claxton. Keep Dorian and signed LaRavia with the tax MLE. Would these moves make them a contender while spending all of the assets? Assets that will be needed to replace LeBron once he is gone next season.

DFS is a great guy. But, I think his role shouldn't be difficult to replace. In fact, his role was best suited to come from the bench as he is too limited on offensive end.

[Chicagojk]

DFS is a great guy. But, I think his role shouldn't be difficult to replace. In fact, his role was best suited to come from the bench as he is too limited on offensive end.

I agree.  At this stage DFS is much better as a bench piece.  I thought when he signed with HOuston that in 3-4 years that contract could look bad.   It turns out Houston factored this in.  Real nice by them.   

I think the value DFS brings though is he knows how to play with stars.    He can score 6 points but still be a positive and may hit a big three.    I could be completely wrong about Ayton, but I would be fine sacraficing DFS to get Ayton.    Probably will not be a home run, but there is at least a chance it could be.

On a totally seperate note, I saw a 6 minute highlight video of Amen the other day.  Wow.   I obviously know he is very good and will get much better.   Although, he has a chance to be one of the better players in the league if he can be a respectable shooter.

[mvossman]

DFS is a great guy. But, I think his role shouldn't be difficult to replace. In fact, his role was best suited to come from the bench as he is too limited on offensive end.

I think a high quality 3&D guy is exactly what you want in the starting lineup next to all of that creation and limited defense.  I think they are going to have a harder time replacing him than you are suggesting.

[SleepingHero]

It was reported that he got a 2-year offer from Lakers, but declined it. Could be he was feeling lowballed

They also didn't lose him for nothing. They essentially "traded" him for Ayton and LaRavia. Staying under 1st apron also enables them to do a SnT. If they kept DFS, those moves would not be possible without paying assets to dump some of their expirings.

I actually like LA offseason so far. They plugged the biggest hole on the roster without giving up any asset. They are conservative with their assets, saving them to only be used for the right opportunity. They still severly lack wing defenders and athleticism. Rumors about Melton (up to BAE) and Brogdon (SnT). Assuming no home run deal is available, I wouldn't be opposed against something like Vincent+Knecht for Brogdon SnT. Saving more than enough money to open the full BAE in the process (I didn't check Washington salaries, but I assume they have sokme wiggle room to enable savings for Lakers), which would enable them to sign another decent FA (Melton?).

They did trade 3 2nds for DFS, which in the grand scheme of things isn't a lot, but the Lakers are asset poor and everything counts. In the aggregate they basically "traded" DLo+3 2nds for LaRavia+Ayton.

I think that is fair in the aggregate. It really hinges on Ayton. If he can be THE starting center the Lakers sorely need, then yes, this deal and offseason was great. Especially if he can reawaken some of the magic he had on PHX during their finals run. I have full confidence that Luka will put him in those positions to succeed, but it's up to Ayton to take it.

This offseason could also be slightly catastrophic. If it doesn't go well with Ayton then the Lakers are still stuck at step one before losing DFS. If Ayton continues his low effort and aversion to rim rolling, but still constantly will call for post ups and mid-range shots, I can't see how that fits well next to Luka. It'd be eerily similar to Christian Wood or Porzingis. Luka WILL be good enough to cover this awkward fit, but it won't be ideal.